Buster Posey

2013

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2012

Posey suffered a season-ending leg injury in May thanks to a brutal collision at the plate, so his follow up to his Rookie of the Year campaign came to a premature end. He wasn't playing as well as he did in 2010 before going down, and while the big drop came in slugging percentage (.505 compared to .389), his OBP was actually up (.357 to .368). The injury was gruesome (broken fibula and severely strained ligaments), and there's concern about his long-term ability to catch, but he suffered it early enough in the season for him to be expected to be fully ready for 2012. Posey has terrific work ethic, and his bat is for real, so he should be one of the first five catchers off the board during fantasy drafts.

2011

After Posey showed he had nothing left to prove in the minors by hitting .349/.442/.552 over 172 at-bats in Triple-A last season, the Giants finally promoted him in late May, and he stayed with the big club for good. He posted an .862 OPS with strong plate discipline, winning National League Rookie of the Year honors in the process. Posey's 18 homers were the second most by a catcher in the NL, and he did it in just 406 at-bats. He also got rave reviews for his work behind the plate, and don't forget he's still just 24. Posey doesn't have the benefit of the DH during his off days catching, and his home park typically suppresses homers, but he's one of the best young hitters in the game and is locked in the middle of San Francisco's lineup. With his natural ability to hit for average combined with his developing power, there's an argument Posey should be the first catcher off the board in fantasy leagues.

2010

Posey hit .325 with 18 homers, 84 runs scored and 80 RBI over 422 at-bats during his first real stint in the minors last year. He also showed good plate discipline (68:62 K:BB ratio) and more than held his own as a 22-year-old in Triple-A (.902 OPS), as he’s been put on the fast track. Since he was given just 17 at-bats with the Giants, it’s unclear why the team called him up at all, other than to prematurely start his arbitration clock. Posey is clearly one of the best prospects in all of baseball, but he’s not ready for a full-time gig behind the plate in the majors. He could enter 2010 with the Giants with a big spring training, but Posey will likely share catching duties with a veteran in San Francisco if he’s not getting more seasoning in the minors.

2009

Posey was awarded the Golden Spikes Award as the top amateur player in 2008. He led the nation in batting average (.472), on-base percentage (.572) and slugging percentage (.908) in his junior season at Florida State. The fifth overall pick in last year’s draft, Posey immediately became one of baseball’s best prospects. The former shortstop should be able to handle catching duties, and his bat is for real. Posey is worthy of a high pick in keeper leagues and should be starting in San Francisco by 2010.